Lois Josephine Ryan

LODI—Lois J. Ryan, treasured wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the age of 98. Lois was a lifelong, active and very much beloved member of the Lodi Community. She attended Lodi High School, then the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a farmer's daughter, the wife of a farmer and a farmer herself.  While raising her seven children in Lodi, she was a very involved and strong leader in the community. Lois served as PTA member, Lodi Fair Board Member, Town Board Clerk, and as a long time 4-H leader was a valued mentor to countless young 4-H members and a willing neighborhood mom. She will be remembered for her quiet, strong leadership skills and her ability to teach those skills to those she mentored. Lois was a capable voice in the Wamby Homemakers group- an active community women's group, and an officer in the United Methodist Women's Group. She was also an active member of the Historical Society in Lodi and West Point. Recording and maintaining an accurate history with regards to her community as well as her family was something vitally important to her. Lois enthusiastically supported the Lodi Fair as a board member, officer, and exhibitor, never missing a fair in her 98 years.  In recognition of her tireless devotion and positive impact on her community over the many years, Lois was honored as Lodi's Citizen of the Year in 1994. Lois loved life, cherished her extended family and always welcomed all into her home. Her life was enriched by the love and many spontaneous hugs from her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and those who called her grandma. She taught many to play baseball, to sew and bake and encouraged all in their musical endeavors. Many hours were spent in the bleachers and in the audience cheering them all on. Lois was a lifelong and passionate gardener and enjoyed traveling to many countries, one of the more memorable ones being the Holy Land. In recent years she enjoyed playing cards at the Lodi Senior Center with friends and the Silver Sneakers exercise group. Lois was the personification of generosity, kindness, hard work and charm. And she brought joy, smiles, and comfort to all those around her. A visitation will be held on Friday, April 14 from 4pm – 7pm at Gunderson Funeral Home in Lodi, and a celebration of Lois' life will be held at United Methodist Church, 130 Locust St, Lodi, WI on Saturday, April 15, 2017, visitation at 9:30 am, service beginning at 11 am. Burial will be in St Patrick's Cemetery, Lodi, WI.  Lois is survived by six of her children, Shirley (Ken) Pape, Whitleyville, TN, Sue Diane (Michael) Riley, Chanhassen, MN, Richard (Terri) Ryan, Lodi, Timothy (Darlene) Ryan, Lodi, Lori (Bill) Statz, Lodi, and Dan (Jenny) Ryan, Lodi; 19 grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, in addition to many special nieces and nephews and extended family. Lois was predeceased by her husband, Herold Ryan, her brothers and sisters, Evelyn (Friedel) Rieck, Pearl(Fritz)Gruendeman, Violet/Chick (Robert) Godfrey, James, William/Bunny (Elizabeth), son in law Michael Riley, her daughter Mary Jo Ryan and her grandson Scott Pape. Rest in love and peace our cherished Lois. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her name to LACE (Lodi Area Community Endowment-www.lodilace.org) for the everlasting benefit of the community she loved.